The consciousness of being deemed dead, is next to the presumable unpleasantness of being so in reality. One feels like his own ghost unlawfully tenanting a defunct carcass. – Herman Melville
Old age is always wakeful as if, the longer linked with life, the less man has to do with aught that looks like death. – Herman Melville
There are times when even the most potent governor must wink at transgression, in order to preserve the laws inviolate for the future. – Herman Melville
Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges. – Herman Melville
Once one determines that he or she has a mission in life, thats its not going to be accomplished without a great deal of pain, and that the rewards in the end may not outweigh the pain –if you recognize historically that always happens, then when it comes, you survive it. – Richard Milhous Nixon